Istanbul, Turkey (Shutterstock) (Shutterstock)
Istanbul, Turkey

Most of the attacks were reportedly planned by Islamic State during last two years.

By Pesach Benson, United With Israel

The Mossad has thwarted 12 terror attacks against Israelis in Turkey during a two-year period, Israel’s Channel 12 reported on Saturday.

The unsourced report said most of the planned attacks were Islamic State plots targeting businessmen and other Israelis. The report added that Israeli businessmen in Turkey have been advised to take extra security precautions and change their daily routines.

Channel 12 also reported that despite the strained relations between Ankara and Jerusalem, ties between the Mossad and Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization have  remained strong.

Last week, Israeli and Turkish intelligence foiled an Iranian plot to assassinate Israeli businessman Yair Geller.

The hit was reportedly intended to be in retaliation for the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in 2020. It’s not clear if Geller was viewed as a target of opportunity, or if the Iranians sought his assassination for more specific reasons.

Reports have speculated that Iran may have sought to thwart Turkish diplomatic overtures to Israel.

Geller owns CNC İleri Teknoloji, an aerospace and aviation company based in Istanbul.

Turkish and Hebrew reports said the cell was discovered by Turkish intelligence who then notified the Mossad. Geller was moved to a safe house in Turkey and given a Mossad security detail after declining to return to Israel.

According to Turkish media, the eight-man cell was made up of Iranian and Turkish nationals. The cell was said to have been directed by an intelligence officer in Iran identified as Yasin Taheremamkendi.

In November, Cypriot police busted a terror cell seeking to assassinate Israeli billionaire Teddy Sagi. An Azeri hitman and several Pakistani nationals were arrested. Israel accused Iran of being behind the plot while Iran denied any involvement.

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